Anti-flat tire device

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a protective segmented metal band formed by a series of metal sheets or plates arranged within a pneumatic tire casing and disposed between the tire carcass and the pressurized area thereof. Each segmented plate is secured to a continuous annular belt of flexible material by a plurality of downwardly extending legs, said plate being relatively positioned independent of the carcass of the tire.

[ 5] Feb. 8,. 1972 Primary ExaminerArthur L. La Point AssistantExaminer-D. W. Keen Attorney-Ming Y. Moy

[57] ABSTRACT This invention provides a protective segmented metal bandformed by a series of metal sheets or plates arranged within a pneumatictire casing and disposed between the tire carcass and the pressurizedarea thereof. Each segmented plate is secured to a continuous annularbelt of flexible material by a plurality of downwardly extending legs,said plate being relatively positioned independent of the carcass of thetire.

' 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB 8 I972 sia anal? INVENTOR,

f/e'; /en.

24 i /a fire ANTI-FLAT TIlRlE DEVIQE CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of an earlier copendingapplication to Alex Chien, Ser. No. 697,246, now abandoned, filed Jan. 1l, 1968, title Antiflat Tire Device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates generally to a device for preventing excessive air leakage frompneumatic tires and, more particularly, to a device to make tirespuncture proof.

2. Description of the Prior Art There have been many variations ofpunctureproof tires. However, none have been commercially feasible. Inthe past, there has been excessive wear due to the limited flexibilityand freedom from frictional engagement. Such devices of which I am awarehave limitations that create unsafe conditions as well as poorperformance, not only in the tires but also in the vehicles on which thetires are used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a device to preventpunctures in pneumatic tires and comprises an annular segmented bandcomposed of a plurality of plates positioned adjacent the inner surfaceof a tire carcass. Each plate is separated from the inner surface byspacer members secured to the outer surface of each plate segment. Thisthen allows an air cushion to form in the space between the inner faceof the carcass and the outer surface of the segmented band.

To hold each plate in its proper relationship to each other, legs areformed on the outer edges thereof. These legs extend downwardly so as tobe attached to a radial burden-bearing belt. Each plate is secured in anend-to-end relationship by means of wedge-shaped members forced betweena portion of the belt and the underside of the plate. The belt may bemade of any suitable flexible material such as rayon, canvas orrubberized cloth. Each plate is snapped into position along thecurvature of the burden-bearing belt and locked thereon by forcing thewedges into place. T he unit as assembled is disposed within the annularcavity of the tires. If it is placed in a tubeless tire, a sealing wallor liner is secured to the inner sidewalls of the tire, forming apartition under the annular burden-bearing belt. However, this sealingwall is not necessary if an innertube is used within the tire cavity.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The present invention has as animportant object the provision of a punctureproof device that is simplein construction and easy to install.

It is another object of the invention to provide an antiflat tirc devicethat comprises a minimum number of parts or members.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an antiflat tiredevice that does not affect the wear of the tire.

A further object of the invention is to provide an antiflat tire devicehaving a metal segmented band fonned by a series of metal platesarranged within the tire casing and positioned between the tire carcassand a sealing belt or innertube.

A still further object is to provide an assembled unit to be insertedwithin the cavity of a tire in order for said tire to withstandpuncturing from sharp objects.

Another object of the invention is to provide an antiflat tire devicehaving an annor-clad protection of high tensile and impact strength toform a super punctureproof shield.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device having ametal band with features of flexibility and freedom from frictionalengagement which can effect a smooth performance within a tire.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are furthersufficiently referred to in connection with the following detaileddescription of the accompanying drawings, which represent oneembodiment. After considering this example, skilled persons willunderstand that many variations may be made without departing from theprinciples disclosed and I contemplate the employment of any structures,arrangements or modes of operation that are properly within the scope ofthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, which arefor illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the invention taken on line 1-1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. I: and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one of the metal segments showing the legsthereof before they are bent into a mounting position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,there is shown a typical tire, indicated generally at 10, having a treadportion 12, a carcass l4 and sidewalls 16. Each of the above define atire cavity 18. Disposed within this cavity is a device or apparatuscomprising an annular segmented band, which is generally indicated at20. This band is made up of a plurality of individual plates 22 whichact as punctureproof shields. It is preferred that said plates be madefrom a rigid punctureproof material and, therefore, said plates areshown as composed of metal, but a fiberglass-reinforced plastic may beused.

Along the outer edges of the plates there is provided two pairs of legs.The front pair of legs is indicated by reference character 24 and therear pair of legs is indicated by the numeral 26. Each leg is bentdownwardly from the crown curvatured plate and bent inwardly again at 28to form a somewhat C-shaped configuration. It is to be noted that thefront legs 24 are longer in relationship to the rear legs 26. This isdue to the fact that they are disposed and attached to an annular burdenbearing belt 30. The belt 30 comprises an annular, substantially flatportion 32, said flat portion having along its outer edges a radialflange 34 which is upturned to cover the sides of the legs 24 and 26. Aninwardly extending lip 36 is formed on the outer radial edge of theflange 34 whereby a portion of the plate is covered. In addition, theradial belt includes a pair of oppositely disposed inverted L-shapedflanges 37 for receiving the lower bent portion 28 of each leg 24 and26, respectively.

Each plate member 22 is placed within the belt 30 whereby each plate isoverlapped by the succeeding plate. That is, as shown in FIG. I, thefront end portion 38 of each plate 22 overhangs or overlaps thepreceding rear end portion 40 of each plate, thereby preventing anygiven area from being completely punctured.

The belt 30 is to be formed of a pliable material such as rayon, canvasor any rubberized cloth. This, then, allows for each plate to bepositioned thereon by bending and flexing members 32, 34 and 36,respectively. Once a plate is placed in its proper position, a securingmeans, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a wedge 42, is forced between thebottom surface of plate 22 and the flange member 36 on each side of theassembly.

To effect a smooth performance within the tire, flexibility and freedomfrom frictional engagement with the tire is required. This isaccomplished by spacer means placed between the inner annular wall ofthe carcass and the plate 22. This means is represented as resilientblocks 44 and 46, respectively. Each block is secured to the outersurface of each plate segment, as can be seen in FIG. 3.

When a unit is completely assembled and positioned within the tirecavity between the under surface of the tire carcass M and anair-sealing liner 50, which is sealed at its outer edges by cement orother usual fastening means, there is established an air cushion areatherebetween, as indicated at 52. This air cushion area preventsfrictional engagement between parts and other elements, as can be seenin FIG. 1.

However, it should be noted that an innertube may be used in place ofthe air-sealed liner 50 to form the pressurized section of the tire 10.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from theforegoing description and it will be apparent that various changes maybe made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof orsacrificing its material advantages, the arrangement hereinbeforedescribed being merely by way of example, and I do not wish to berestricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, except asdefined in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A punctureproof device for a pressurized pneumatic tire comprising:

a plurality of segmented plates composed of punctureproof material, saidplates having a plurality of downwardly extending legs, and wherein eachsegmented plate comprises an overlapping front portion and a downwardlyextending rear portion, which is overlapped by said front portion of thesucceeding plate in a circumferential arrangement within the tirecavity;

a spacer means secured to the surface of each of said plates,

whereby said plates are spaced from frictional engagement withthe innersurface of the tire; an annular pliable belt adapted to receive saidplates for positioning thereon,

wherein said annular pliable belt comprises: a substantially flatannular portion having radial flanges disposed along each outer edgethereof, said flanges being upturned along said legs and benthorizontally to form a support cover for each of said segmented plates;and a pair of oppositely disposed, annular, inner flanges adapted toreceive the lower inwardly turned legs of said plates; and

securing means for securing said segmented plates in endto-endrelationship to each other about the annular belt, said securing meanscomprising wedge-shaped members force fitted between said plate and saidannular belt.

2. A punctureproof device, as recited in claim I, wherein said spacermeans comprises a pair of spacer blocks, said blocks being formed ofaresilient material.

3. A punctureproof device, as recited in claim 2, including anair-sealing liner having outer edges, said edges being bonded to theinner portion of the tire, forming an air support for said belt.

1. A punctureproof device for a pressurized pneumatic tire comprising: aplurality of segmented plates composed of punctureproof material, saidplates having a plurality of downwardly extending legs, and wherein eachsegmented plate comprises an overlapping front portion and a downwardlyextending rear portion, which is overlapped by said front portion of thesucceeding plate in a circumferential arrangement within the tirecavity; a spacer means secured to the surface of each of said plates,whereby said plates are spaced from frictional engagement with the innersurface of the tire; an annular pliable belt adapted to receive saidplates for positioning thereon, wherein said annular pliable beltcomprises: a substantially flat annular portion having radial flangesdisposed along each outer edge thereof, said flanges being upturnedalong said legs and bent horizontally to form a support cover for eachof said segmented plates; and a pair of oppositely disposed, annular,inner flanges adapted to receive the lower inwardly turned legs of saidplates; and securing means for securing said segmented plates inend-to-end relationship to each other about the annular belt, saidsecuring means comprising wedge-shaped members force fitted between saidplate and said annular belt.
 2. A punctureproof device, as recited inclaim 1, wherein said spacer means comprises a pair of spacer blocks,said blocks being formed of a resilient material.
 3. A punctureproofdevice, as recited in claim 2, including an air-sealing liner havingouter edges, said edges being bonded to the inner portion of the tire,forming an air support for said belt.